Automatic feeder for bakery products

ABSTRACT

An automated feeder transports pastry product dishes and/or moulds and includes a movable headstock arranged transversely above a first conveyor. The headstock includes an upper plate, a main linear actuator attached thereto, a lower mobile plate extendable by the main linear actuator, and a plurality of magnetic elements attached to the lower mobile plate. The magnetic elements hold a plurality of metallic plates in a predetermined arrangement. The headstock also includes at least two secondary vertical linear actuators disposed on the upper plate for actuating a releasing mechanism to dislodge the dishes from the magnetic elements and a transportation mechanism to provide longitudinal movement along a pair of longitudinal rails. The transportation mechanism permits the headstock to move between a first position over the first conveyor to a second position over a second.

FIELD OF INVENTION

The present invention relates to equipment used in the management and handling of moulds for bakery products. More specifically, an automated feeder of pastry product plates and/or moulds is disclosed herein.

BACKGROUND OF INVENTION

Currently in the pastry industry, machines are utilized to continuously convey plates or moulds having different configurations or shapes in the production of bakery products. It is also known that the moulds are grouped and that dough is deposited in the moulds prior to feeding the moulds to an oven for cooking.

Metallic moulds or dishes are commonly used for these purposes, and, in many cases, dosing (i.e., depositing an amount of bakery product, such as pastry dough, into the moulds or dishes), grouping, and forming the moulds or dishes was performed by hand, which required a large labor force. Consequently, current production methods have high production costs and are have increased risks of contamination.

Pneumatic equipment for generating a vacuum at nozzles or foot valves via a vacuum generation system is also known for moving dishes or moulds. However, the vacuum forces generated by such equipment is insufficient to convey and move the moulds or dishes because the strength of the vacuum generated is not sufficient to keep the dishes secured and suspended during transportation from one conveyor to another. Pneumatic equipment is also deficient in that the vacuum generated to secure the dish or mould has a tendency to break due to the movements generated in during transportation. Consequently, in many cases, the dishes or moulds are released, and the dishes or moulds fall inverted, land unaligned, or fall off of the conveyor. As a result, the formation, alignment, and dosing of the moulds is adversely affected.

OBJECTIVES OF THE INVENTION

An objective of one or more implementations described herein, is to provide automated equipment to feed pastry product dishes and/or metallic moulds to efficiently and continuously form defined, ordered rows in a predefined arrangement.

Another objective is to provide automated equipment for feeding pastry product dishes and/or moulds to a forming conveyor, which provides an improved production rate, reduced processing times, increased productivity, increased processing speeds, as well as reduced production costs.

Another objective is to provide an automated feeder of pastry product plates and/or moulds to a forming conveyor in synchronized manner and to provide continuous feeding to the conveyor without leaving spaces between each batch of pastry product plates and/or moulds and keeping uniform spacing between the dishes of adjacent rows and adjacent batches.

Other benefits and advantages will be apparent upon review of the detailed description with reference to the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

An automated feeder of pastry product dishes and/or moulds to a conveyor includes a movable headstock arranged transversely over a first conveyor. The moveable headstock includes a first upper plate and a first vertical linear actuator affixed to a central portion of the first upper plate. A retractable end of the first main linear actuator is attached to a second lower mobile plate. A plurality of magnetic elements are attached to a lower surface of the second mobile plate in a predetermined arrangement to correspond to an arrangement of a plurality of metallic dishes or moulds (hereinafter referred to as “metallic dishes” for consistency purposes, although it is understood that metallic molds are included within the scope of present invention) disposed, for example, on a second conveyor. The plurality of magnetic elements are operable to hold the plurality of metallic dishes. The lower mobile plate also includes vertical poles secured to an upper surface thereof. The vertical poles are slideable within guides disposed on an upper surface of the first upper plate. Consequently, the lower mobile plate is moveable in a vertical direction by the first vertical linear actuator. Thus, the mobile headstock is operable to pick up metallic dishes by extending the plurality of magnetic element to engage and hold the plurality of metallic dishes disposed on the second conveyor. Thereafter, the plurality of magnetic elements may be lifted to raise the plurality of metallic dishes and subsequently lowered once the mobile headstock has arrived at a predetermined position. The plurality of metallic dishes may be deposited by extending the first vertical linear actuator and, thereby, lowering the plurality of magnetic elements. Then, the second lower mobile plate may be retracted the original retracted position.

The first upper plate may also include at least two secondary vertical linear actuators arranged laterally along the first upper plate. A releasing mechanism is attached to retractable ends of the secondary vertical linear actuators. Thus, when the secondary vertical linear actuators are extended, the releasing mechanism engages edges of the metallic dishes, causing the metallic dishes to detach from the magnetic elements. Consequently, the moveable headstock is operable to release the plurality of metallic dishes by breaking the magnetic force between the magnetic elements and the metallic plates, for example, to deposit the metallic dishes on the first conveyor in a predetermined position.

The mobile headstock also includes a transportation mechanism that provides longitudinal movement over a pair of longitudinal rails arranged over the first and second conveyors. Thus, the mobile headstock is moveable between a first position over the first conveyor to a second position over the second conveyor.

According to one implementation, the transportation mechanism includes lateral follower mechanisms arranged on opposing ends of the first upper plate. Each of the lateral follower mechanisms is mounted on one of the longitudinal rails. A system of sprockets and a continuous chain drives each follower mechanism. Each system of the sprockets and the continuous chain is operably connected to the second conveyor so that the second conveyor provides the driving motion to operate the sprockets and continuous chains.

In another embodiment, the mobile headstock also includes a third linear actuator disposed horizontally and attached to an upper supporting structure. A retractile end of the third linear actuator attaches to the first upper plate, and, when activated, the third linear actuator provides a horizontal movement to the headstock in one of a fore or aft direction parallel to a conveying direction of the first conveyor. When the third linear actuator actuates, the lateral follower mechanisms moves along the longitudinal rails.

The releasing mechanism includes a frame disposed above and around each row of magnetic elements. The outer perimeter of the frame is larger and the outer perimeter of the magnetic elements but smaller than the outer perimeter of the metallic dishes. Consequently, there is an interference between the frame and the metallic dishes when the releasing means is extended to release the metallic dishes. Alternately, the frame forms a grid, wherein each cell of the grid corresponds to an individual metallic dish. Similarly, the outer perimeter of each cell of the frame is larger than the magnetic elements but smaller than the metallic dishes. Therefore, in either configuration, the frame is operable to separate a plurality of metallic dishes from the corresponding magnetic elements in a single movement.

Additional aspects, advantages, and novel features of one or more implementations will be better understood as set forth in the following description and accompanying drawings and will also become apparent to those skilled in the art upon examination of the following or upon learning by practice of the invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The features of the various implementations will be more readily understood with reference to the following description and the attached drawings, wherein:

FIG. 1 shows a side view of an automated feeder of pastry product plates and/or moulds;

FIG. 2 illustrates a perspective view of the automated feeder of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 shows an enlarged perspective view of the movable headstock of the automated feeder of FIG. 1; and

FIG. 4 illustrates an enlarged perspective view of a magnetic element of the automated feeder of FIG. 1.

The accompanying drawing is merely illustrative and is not intended to be limiting.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Referring to FIGS. 1 and 3, an automated feeder for feeding pastry products to a conveyor includes of a movable headstock 1 arranged transversely over a first conveyor 2. The moveable headstock 1 may include a first vertical linear actuator 4 affixed to a first upper plate 3. In one implementation, the first main linear actuator 4 is fixed at a first end to a central portion of the first upper plate 3. A second, retractile end of the vertical linear actuator 4 is secured to a second lower mobile plate 5. A plurality of magnetic elements 6 are secured to a lower surface of the second mobile plate 5. The plurality of magnetic elements 6 are operable to hold one or more metallic dishes or moulds 7 in a predetermined arrangement. The lower mobile plate 5 also includes vertical poles 9 secured to an upper surface thereof. The vertical poles 9 are slideable within guides 8 provided on an upper surface of the first upper plate 3. Consequently, the lower mobile plate 5 is moveable in a vertical direction by the main vertical linear actuator 4.

The upper plate 3 also includes at least two secondary vertical linear actuators 10 arranged laterally along the upper plate 3. A releasing mechanism 11 is attached to the retractile ends of the actuators 10. Accordingly, when the secondary vertical actuators 10 are actuated, the releasing mechanism 11 engages edges of the metallic dishes 7 that are magnetically secured to the magnetic elements 6. As a result, the releasing mechanism 11 forcibly separates the metallic dishes 7 from the magnetic elements 6, thereby releasing the metallic dishes 7 from the magnetic elements 6. Consequently, the metallic dishes 7 may be released onto the first conveyor 2 in the predetermined position.

In one implementation, the movable headstock 1 conveys a plurality of the metallic dishes 7 from a second conveyor 12 to an inlet of the conveyor 2. Conveying direction 20 of the first conveyor 2 is perpendicular to conveying direction 22 of the second conveyor 12. Dosing or deposition cylinders 13 deposit an amount of pastry dough in the metallic dishes 7 at a position along the second conveyor 12. The second conveyor 12 conveys the metallic dishes 7 in a conveying direction 22.

The movable headstock 1 also includes a transportation mechanism that provides a longitudinal movement, i.e., a movement aligned with the conveying direction 20 of the first conveyor 2, via a pair of longitudinal rails 14. The longitudinal rails 14 are arranged laterally over the conveyor 2 and are secured to an upper supporting structure (not shown). The headstock 1 is positionable from a first position over the second conveyor 12 to a second position over the first conveyor 2 along the longitudinal rails 14. At the first position, the moveable headstock 1 retrieves a plurality of dishes 7 from the second conveyor 12 and transports the plurality of dishes 7 to the second position, where the moveable headstock 1 deposits the metallic dishes 7 onto the first conveyor 2. The transportation mechanism includes lateral follower mechanisms 15 arranged on the first upper plate 3. Each of the lateral follower mechanisms 15 is mounted on one of the longitudinal rails 14. A system of sprockets 16 and a continuous chain 17 drives each follower mechanism 15. Each system of sprockets 16 and continuous chain 17 is operably connected to the first conveyor 2 such that a primary driving motion (not shown) of the first conveyor 2 powers the system of the sprockets 16 and the continuous chain 17.

The operation of the automated feeder is now described. In a first position, the movable headstock 1 is arranged above the second conveyor 12 containing a plurality of metallic dishes 7 arranged in two continuous and adjacent rows on the second conveyor 12. The two deposition cylinder 13 deposit an amount of bakery product, such as pastry dough, into each dish 17.

A sensor (not shown) may be arranged on either one of the movable headstock 1 or an upper support structure (not shown) to detect the metallic dishes 7 on the second conveyor 12. When the metallic dishes 7 are detected, the first vertical linear actuator 4 is activated, lowering the second lower mobile plate 5 and the magnetic elements 6. The magnetic elements 6 may be configured in two adjacent rows. An arrangement of the magnetic elements 6 corresponds to an arrangement of the metallic dishes 7 disposed on the second conveyor 12. Accordingly, when the magnetic elements 6 are lowered, each magnetic elements 6 engages and magnetically retains a corresponding metallic dish 7.

Once the metallic dishes 7 are magnetically attached to the magnetic elements 6, the first vertical linear actuator 4 retracts the second lower mobile plate 5 and, thus, the plurality of metallic dishes 7 secured to the magnetic elements 6. During or after retraction of the second lower mobile plate 5, the transportation mechanism moves the moveable headstock 1 in the conveying direction 20 along the longitudinal rails 14 until the moveable headstock 1 is above a first end 24 of the first conveyor 2. Thereafter, the first main linear actuator 4 lowers the metallic dishes 7 magnetically secured to the magnetic elements 6 to a position immediately above the first conveyor 2. The two secondary vertical linear actuators 10 then lower the releasing mechanism 11 so that the releasing mechanism 11 engages the edges of the metallic dishes 7, causing the metallic dishes 7 to separate from the magnetic element 6. Consequently, the dishes 7 are deposited on the first conveyor 2 in two defined rows.

The actuators 4 and 10 are again actuated to raise the second lower mobile plate 5 and the releasing mechanism 11, respectively, and the moveable headstock 1 is moved along the longitudinal rails 14 in a direction opposite the conveying direction 20 of the first conveyor 2 by the transportation mechanism. Accordingly, the moveable headstock 1 is returned to the first position, and the process may be repeated.

FIG. 4 illustrates an enlarged perspective view of the magnetic element 6. The magnetic element 6 includes a flat circular bearing element 18 with a magnetized disk 19 arranged in the center of the lower surface of the flat circular bearing element 18 and an arm 20 secured to an upper surface of the circular bearing element 18. An upper end of the arm 20 attaches to the lower surface of the second mobile lower plate 5.

Implementations have now been described to enable one skilled in the art to reproduce and obtain the results described herein. Additionally, it will be understood that various modifications may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. Accordingly, other implementations are within the scope of the following claims. 

1-7. (canceled)
 8. An apparatus for transporting a plurality of metallic baking containers comprising: a moveable headstock disposed above a first conveyor including: an upper plate; a lower moveable plate; a first actuator attached at an upper end to the upper plate and at a lower end to the lower moveable plate, wherein the first linear actuator is operable to at least one of lower or raise the lower moveable plate; a plurality of magnetic elements extending from a lower surface of the lower moveable plate, wherein the plurality of magnetic elements is adapted to engage and retain a corresponding plurality of metallic baking containers; an extendable releasing mechanism operable to dislodge the plurality of metallic baking containers from the plurality of magnetic elements; at least two secondary actuators, wherein each of the secondary actuators is attached at an upper end to the upper plate and at a lower end to the extendable releasing mechanism and wherein the at least two secondary actuators are operable to extend the extendable releasing mechanism to engage the plurality of metallic baking containers; and a transportation mechanism operable to convey the moveable headstock along a pair of parallel rails arranged longitudinally along the first conveyor.
 9. The apparatus according to claim 8, wherein the plurality of magnetic elements forms one or more rows of magnetic elements, wherein the extendable releasing mechanism includes one or more openings formed therein, wherein each opening encompasses one of the rows of magnetic elements, wherein a width of each opening is wider than a width of the magnetic elements and narrower than a width of the metallic baking containers, and wherein the extendable releasing mechanism is operable to dislodge the plurality of metallic baking containers from the plurality of the magnetic elements by engaging edges of the plurality of the metallic baking containers when the extendable releasing mechanism is extended.
 10. The apparatus according to claim 8, wherein the extendable releasing mechanism forms a grid comprising a plurality of openings, wherein each opening encompasses an individual magnetic element, wherein a width of the openings is wider than a width of the magnetic elements and narrower than a width of the metallic baking containers, and wherein the extendable releasing mechanism is operable to dislodge the plurality of metallic baking containers from the plurality of magnetic elements by engaging edges of the metallic baking containers when the extendable releasing mechanism is extended.
 11. The apparatus according to claim 8, wherein the moveable headstock further comprises: at least one guide attached to the upper plate; and at least one vertical pole attached to the lower moveable plate, wherein the at least one vertical pole is slideable in the at least one guide.
 12. The apparatus according to claim 8, wherein the transportation mechanism is operable to convey the moveable headstock along the pair of parallel rails at a predetermined speed.
 13. The apparatus according to claim 8, wherein the transportation mechanism comprises: a first lateral follower attached to a first lateral side of the upper plate; and a second lateral follower attached to a second lateral side, opposite the first lateral side, of the upper plate, wherein the first and second followers are slideable along a corresponding rail of the pair of parallel rails and wherein each of the first and second followers includes a system of sprockets interconnected by a continuous chain operable to convey the first and second followers along the pair of parallel rails.
 14. The apparatus according to claim 8, wherein the transportation mechanism comprises: a first lateral follower attached to a first lateral side of the upper plate; a second lateral follower attached to a second lateral side, opposite the first lateral side, of the upper plate; and at least one third linear actuator attached at a first end to the upper plate and adapted to be attached to a supporting structure at a second end, opposite the first end, wherein the at least one third linear actuator is operable to convey the moveable headstock along the pair of parallel rails.
 15. The apparatus according to claim 8, wherein the plurality of magnetic elements are adapted to magnetically retain the corresponding plurality of metallic baking containers.
 16. A system for transporting a plurality of metallic baking containers comprising: a first conveyor operable to feed a plurality of metallic baking containers; a second conveyor disposed adjacent to the first conveyor; a moveable headstock disposed above the first and second conveyors, the moveable headstock including: an upper plate; a lower moveable plate; a first actuator attached at an upper end to the upper plate and at a lower end to the lower moveable plate, wherein the first linear actuator is operable to at least one of lower or raise the lower moveable plate; a plurality of magnetic elements extending from a lower surface of the lower moveable plate, wherein the plurality of magnetic elements is adapted to engage and retain the corresponding plurality of metallic baking containers; an extendable releasing mechanism operable to dislodge the plurality of metallic baking containers; at least two secondary actuators, wherein each of the secondary actuators is attached at an upper end to the upper plate and at a lower end to the extendable releasing mechanism and wherein the at least two secondary actuators are operable to extend the extendable releasing mechanism to engage the plurality of metallic baking containers; and a transportation mechanism operable to convey the moveable headstock between a position above the first conveyor and a position above the second conveyor along a pair of parallel rails aligned with a conveying direction of the second conveyor.
 17. The system according to claim 16, wherein the plurality of magnetic elements are adapted to magnetically retain the corresponding plurality of metallic baking containers.
 18. The system according to claim 16, wherein the first actuator is operable both to extend the plurality of magnetic elements to engage the corresponding plurality of metallic baking containers and to retract the plurality of magnetic elements and corresponding plurality of metallic baking containers.
 19. The system according to claim 16, wherein the plurality of magnetic elements forms one or more rows of magnetic elements, wherein the extendable releasing mechanism includes one or more openings formed therein, wherein each opening encompasses one of the rows of magnetic elements, wherein a width of each opening is wider than a width of the magnetic elements and narrower than a width of the metallic baking containers, and wherein the extendable releasing mechanism is operable to dislodge the plurality of metallic baking containers from the plurality of the magnetic elements by engaging edges of the plurality of the metallic baking containers when the extendable releasing mechanism is extended.
 20. The system according to claim 16, wherein the extendable releasing mechanism forms a grid comprising a plurality of openings, wherein each opening encompasses an individual magnetic element, wherein a width of the openings is wider than a width of the magnetic elements and narrower than a width of the metallic baking containers, and wherein the extendable releasing mechanism is operable to dislodge the plurality of metallic baking containers by engaging edges of the metallic baking containers when the extendable releasing mechanism is extended.
 21. The system according to claim 16, wherein the transportation mechanism is operable to convey the moveable headstock along the pair of parallel rails at a predetermined speed.
 22. The system according to claim 16, wherein the moveable headstock further comprises: at least one guide attached to the upper plate; and at least one vertical pole attached to the lower moveable plate, wherein the at least one vertical pole is slideable in the at least one guide.
 23. The system according to claim 16, wherein the transportation mechanism comprises: a first lateral follower attached to a first lateral side of the upper plate; and a second lateral follower attached to a second lateral side, opposite the first lateral side, of the upper plate, wherein the first and second followers are slideable along a corresponding rail of the pair of parallel rails and wherein each of the first and second followers includes a system of sprockets interconnected by a continuous chain operable to convey the first and second followers along the pair of parallel rails.
 24. The system according to claim 23, wherein the first and second followers are operably connected to the second conveyor to provide a driving force that drives the first and second followers.
 25. The apparatus according to claim 16, wherein the transportation mechanism comprises: a first lateral follower attached to a first lateral side of the upper plate; a second lateral follower attached to a second lateral side, opposite the first lateral side, of the upper plate; and at least one third linear actuator attached at a first end to the upper plate and adapted to be attached to a supporting structure at a second end, opposite the first end, wherein the at least one third linear actuator is operable to convey the moveable headstock along the pair of parallel rails.
 26. A method for feeding a plurality of metallic baking containers from a first conveyor to a second conveyor, the method comprising: (a) conveying a moveable headstock having a plurality of magnetic elements to a position above a first conveyor; (b) extending the plurality of magnetic elements towards the first conveyor to engage a corresponding plurality of metallic baking containers; (c) retaining the plurality of metallic baking containers on the corresponding plurality of magnetic elements; (d) retracting the plurality of magnetic elements and the corresponding plurality of metallic baking containers towards the moveable headstock; (e) conveying the plurality of metallic baking containers to a position above a second conveyor; (f) extending the plurality of magnetic elements and the corresponding plurality of metallic baking containers toward the second conveyor; (g) releasing the plurality of metallic baking containers onto the second conveyor; and (h) retract the plurality of magnetic elements towards the moveable headstock.
 27. The method according to claim 25 further comprising repeating steps (a) through (h) any desired number of times.
 28. The method according to claim 26, wherein releasing the plurality of metallic baking containers comprises: extending an extendable releasing mechanism of the moveable headstock to engage and separate the plurality of metallic baking containers from the corresponding plurality of magnetic elements.
 29. The method according to claim 26, wherein retaining the plurality of metallic baking containers comprises magnetically joining the plurality of metallic baking containers to the corresponding plurality of magnetic elements.
 30. The method according to claim 26, wherein conveying the moveable head comprises sliding the moveable head along a pair of rails disposed above the first and second conveyors, wherein the rails are aligned with the second conveyor. 